Write the claim before looking for a verdict
A photograph can be genuine while the accompanying place, date or event description is wrong. Start with the public assertion you need to check. Preserve the post URL, its wording and the image you are permitted to review, without collecting unrelated personal details.
For an illustrative weather photograph, “this shows today’s storm” is a different claim from “this photograph has been digitally altered.” Write those questions separately so a result about one does not silently answer the other.
Use the index to find a review
Google’s training explains that Fact Check Explorer surfaces independent publishers’ fact checks through ClaimReview information. It documents searching by image URL, image upload or drag-and-drop, and inspecting the claim, rating and source. Keyword and publisher-specific searches provide another route. Source
Use a relevant public image or a file you are allowed to submit. If no result appears, try distinctive claim wording. Record the scope of the search rather than declaring the image true because no review was returned.
Open the publisher and compare the claim
| Check | Question to answer |
|---|---|
| Image | Is it the same picture, crop or a different frame? |
| Claim | Does the review assess the assertion you are checking? |
| Date | Does the review concern the same event or a previous circulation? |
| Evidence | What original material supports the review? |
| Rating | What does this publisher mean by that label? |
Read beyond the result card. A review may distinguish an authentic old photograph from a misleading new caption. Retain that distinction instead of reducing the outcome to “fake image.” Follow the review’s primary evidence where available and state when you could not inspect it.
Keep reused reviews in their proper scope
If a new post changes the assertion, describe how the earlier review is relevant and what remains unchecked. The same photograph can illustrate multiple stories; a prior rating is not a universal property of the file.
Save the actual review URL, its assessed claim, publication date and your comparison note. The image context guide provides a broader source-search route. Use the AI source checklist when a generated answer cites the review. Neither the search tool nor a summary replaces reading the supporting evidence.